Folding flexible roof or curtain



4, 1936- A. G. SCHLICHER FOLDING FLEXIBLE ROOF OR CURTAIN Filed Oct. 1, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Mull! Ill".

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ma ma 1936- A. G. SCHLICHER FOLDING FLEXIBLE ROOF OR CURTAIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 1, 1954 flR G- Sam/CHER Patented Feb. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 2,029,676 FOLDING FLEXIBLE ROOF R CURTAIN Arthur Grover Schlicher, Allentown, Pa. Application October 1, 1934, Serial No. 746,429

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a folding flexible roof or curtain particularly designed for vehicles such as trucks, boats, etc., but adapted to any use which involves the conversionof an open room or body into a roof-protected enclosure.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention herein described, it will be illustrated in relation to a truck.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide in a flexible roof that folds into plaits, means for compelling an orderly and uniform arrangements of the plaits when the roof or ourtain is folded.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a casing preferably forming the roof of the cab or drivers compartment in which the roof is completely housed when folded.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a folding roof of the character described including rigid transverse members slidable upon tracks carried upon the top of the framework or sides, whereby not only are the sides held from operating when the roof is in expanded position, but avoiding lateral overhang of the roof and casing which would be necessitated if the tracks extended laterally, thereby eliminating damage to the curtain and impairment of its operativeness through denting to which lateral extensions are particularly susceptible.

Another object of the invention is to provide the transverse ribs or members with a crown giving a convex or water shedding shape to the expanded curtain.

A further object of the invention is to provide a curtain which can be slidably folded with equal facility either toward the front or rear of the body.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a curtain which, being no longer than the body to be covered, requires but a minimum size of easing completely to stow it, leaving the storagespace of the truck entirely unobstructed.

,One of the very important objects of the invention is to provide an expansion bar at the mouth of the casing engageable by the forward end. of the curtain, by means of which bar the tension of the curtain can be adjusted, and slack or shrinkage compensated for so that the curtain may always be smooth and taut when expanded.

Another object of the invention is to furnish thev transverse members of the curtain with bumpers or stops functioning as spacers when the-curtain frame is collapsed to prevent pinching the plaits.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic latches engaging the rear transverse member of the folding roof to maintain it expanded, and mechanical latching means for securing and releasing the front end of the roof 5 relative to the expansion bar.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a lateral molding or gutter for concealing the edges of the roof and to provide for drainage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a truck body having a roof of the character described, and vertically slidable side pannels, movable with the roof to form a complete convertible open or closed body.

Other objects of the invention will appear as 5 the following description of a preferred and practical embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of the following specification and through! out the several figures of which the same characg0 ters of reference have been employed to designate identical parts:

Figure l is a perspective View of a truck embodying the features of the present invention, the roof being shown in fully expanded position;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the roof and casing, the intermediate portion being broken away;

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the roof. collapsed and within the casing;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear end of the casing illustrating the latching means and means for operating the expansion bar;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the forward portion of the frame of the curtain;

Figure 6 is a front elevation of Figure 5, longitudinal stationary portions being shown in section; and

Figure 7 is a plan view partly in section of the mechanism for operating the expansion bar.

Referring now in detail to the several .figures, the numeral l represents a truck which as has been stated in the preliminary paragraphs, is merely an exemplary object to which the roof ,or curtain of my invention is to be applied. The 45 framework 2 of the sides of the truck is provided on the top faces of the upper longitudinal members 3 with tracks 4 and 5. These tracks, it will be observed from Figures 2 and 3, extend into a casing B. The latter member forms the 50 roof of the cab or drivers compartment and is a complete enclosure excepting for the back end or mouth 1 which receives the collapsible roof. The supporting elements of the roof comprise a plurality of transverse members 8. These, as 55 Figure 6 most clearly illustrates, bridge the space between the sides of the truck, and have slots 9 embracing the track so that the transverse members 8 are slidable longitudinally upon said track. The shape of the track and slots is such that the transverse members are retained from displacement with respect to said track in any direction excepting endwise of the track.

Normally, when the roof is in expanded condition the transverse members are spaced from one another at any desirable and practicable distance as indicated in Figure 2. When the roof is folded or collapsed the transverse members come into close adjacency as illustrated in Figure 3. Spacers keep the transverse members from coming quite together. Said spacers may be of any suitable construction. They are here shown as comprising a block it] on one of said transverse members and a rubber bumper H on the other member engaging the block in. This construction may be varied according to the choice or desire of the builder. A spacer is provided at each end of each transverse member.

It will be noted from Figure 2 that the roof is of substantially the same length as the body to be covered and not substantially longer. This assures a minimum size of casing for the housing of said roof when folded.

It will also be observed from Figure 2 that when the roof is in expanded position an automatic resilient latch l2 secured to the inside of the upper side members of the body is first depressed by the passage over it of the rear transverse member 8 and then springs up into position in which the shoulder I3 is behind the rear transverse member 8 preventing retraction of the rear end of the curtain and holding the entire curtain in flat taut position. When it is desired to collapse the curtain, a handle [4 is depressed, the same being an extension of the latch l2.

The rear transverse member may be provided with a handle l5 providing a convenient handhold for drawing out the curtain. The roof is made of a sheet N5 of canvas or any other suitable flexible material preferably water-proofed. It is secured to each of the rigid transverse members 8 by means of a batten l! overlying the flexible sheet and screwed down to the transverse members 8. It will be noted from Figure 6 that the transverse members have a crown or camber at the top to which the battens conform, making the roof convex and facilitating the shedding of water. At the sides of the track and concealing the edges of the roof are the mouldings l8 preferably of sheet metal and which receive the drainage from the roof. This is discharged through holes l9 which may be provided at intervals in the bottom member of the moulding.

Each of the transverse members 8 except the rearmost one is provided on its back face with hinged brackets 20. The number of these brackets to each transverse member is immaterial to the invention, it being preferred to provide at least three, one in the middle and one near each end. These brackets are provided with angularly down-turned ends 21 abutting against the back faces of the transverse members in such manner as to stop the hinged movement of the brackets at a point at which the brackets are substantially horizontal. The brackets support a rod or shaft 22, see Figure 5, on which is mounted a divided roller 23. Said roller comprises outer sections 24 adapted to roll upon the track and inner sections 25 and 26. The rod 22 may be slightly angularly bent adjacent the middle bracket so as substantially to follow the convex contour of the transverse members and if it be desired more faithfully to follow this contour, the sections 25 and 26 may be divided permitting angular deflection oi the rod 26 at a greater number of points. The canvas or other material of which the flexible sheet is composed rests upon the rollers.

The purpose of the brackets and rollers is to compel an orderly and uniform folding of the canvas into plaits between the transverse members, when the roof is slidably collapsed. In the initial stage of approach of the several transverse members, the resultant fullness of the flexible sheet causes it to lie slack between the transverse members, resting upon the rollers 23. The forward upper edges of each of the transverse members except the front member are bevelled so that when the rollers 23 reach the adjacent transverse members they cam upon the bevelled edges of said members thrusting into the slack canvas and forming definite plaits 21 as is indicated in Figure 3. The width of the spaces between said transverse members when in folded position is such as to prevent the canvas being pinched in said spacers and damaged or torn.

The roof may be collapsed either from the front or rear. Normally when it is desired to collapse the roof and stow it out of the way in the casing, the handles M of the latches l2 are depressed and the rear transverse member 8 pushed in. This movement causes the parts to come together in the manner illustrated in Figure 3.

The front end of the curtain is normally anchored within the mouth of the casing by latching means which are illustrated in Figure 6 and comprise a central cam 28 having rods 29 and 30 which simultaneously reciprocate in opposite directions when the cam is turned. These rods are pivotally connected to keepers 3| and 32 pivotally connected to the cross bar and having their free ends adapted to extend downwardly against the front side of the expansion bar 33. When it is desired to fold the curtain from the front, the cam 28 is turned to release the keepers 3i and 32 and the front transverse member 8 is then pushed rearwardly against the adjacent transverse member. It will be understood that the plait compelling mechanism works just as well when the curtain is folded in one direction as in the other.

Due to shrinkage, rains, and other causes the length of a flexible canvas curtain never remains exactly the same. When it is long it normally sags forming wrinkles and depressions, becoming very unsightly. When it shrinks, it may be difficult with main force to pull the rear transverse member back far enough to cause it to engage the latch shoulder I 3. The present invention contemplates the avoidance of these drawbacks by the provision of the expansion bar 33 which may be adjustably moved either front or back in order that the tension of the flexible sheet when the roof is expanded may always be the same and sufficient to ensure a smooth tense contour. The expansion bar is placed just forwardly of a fixed transverse member 34 and moves relative to said fixed member. The mechanism for adjusting the expansion bar comprises a nut 35 secured to the fixed member 34 and having a shaft 36 screwing therein with its head 31 fastened, with liberty of motion to the expansion bar. There are preferably two of these screw devices, one near each side of the expansion bar.

The free ends of the shafts 36 preferably project in the manner indicated in Figure 4 from the rear side of the fixed member 34. The free ends are preferably polygonal so that a crank can be applied for reciprocating the expansion bar 33. It will be understood that normally the keepers 3| and 32 project behind the expansion bar so that advancing or retracting the latter either increases or diminishes the stress upon the curtain.

The members 38 and 39 are merely guides secured to the fixed member 34 and slide through apertures in the expansion bar, their purpose being merely to ensure rectilinear movement of the expansion bar.

When the curtain is completely folded and stowed within the casing 6, it may be retained in that position by means of a latch or latches 40 inter-engaging with lugs 4| secured to the back face of the rearmost transverse member. The said latches and lugs are merely by way of example and any other means of obtaining the curtains in the housing not in use will be employed Without affecting the scope of the invention.

It will be understood from the above description that I have devised a curtain which when folded leaves the storage space entirely unobstructed and occupies practically no useful space at all since the casing within which it is housed forms the necessary useful function as the roof of the cab or compartment.

It will also be understood that by arranging the tracks on the tops of the side members instead of projecting laterally therefrom, the overall width of the body may be reduced and lateral extensions of the roof and casing avoided. One of the defects of devices of this general nature as heretofore contemplated has been the exposure of these lateral extensions to denting or other damage rendering the folding features of the roof inoperative. It will also be understood that the compelling of the formation of the plaits in a definite and uniform manner prevents undue wear and damage to the canvas and also assures that the curtain may be folded with equal ease and certainty every time, which is not possible in holder constructions in which the plaits assume irregular and desultory folds when the roof is collapsed.

It will also be understood that a peculiar cooperation exists between the roof of the present invention and the sliding side panels 42. It is absolutely essential for the proper operation of the sliding panels that the sides of the truck be prevented from spreading or bulging under the mould; otherwise, the panels may jamlo and refuse to work. The presence of the rigid transverse members at intervals along the top members of the truck sides holds the latter from bulging and spreading and permits faultless operation of the side panels. A truly convertible body must have a folding or collapsible roof as well as collapsible sides and these cooperating features are believed for the first time to have been practically realized, in the present invention.

While I have in the above description disclosed what I believe to be a preferred and practical embodiment of the inventive concept, it will be understood that the details of construction as shown and described are merely by way of example and not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. In a vehicle having sides, a casing forwardly of the tops of said sides, tracks on the top edges of said sides extending into said casing, a folding roof slidable bodily on said tracks to positions in which it is fully housed within or fully withdrawn from said casing, said roof comprising transverse parallel members slidable relatively toward and from each other, a flexible cover secured to said transverse members determining their maximum range of relative separation, latching means adjacent the rear ends of said sides automatically operable to retain the rear transverse member at the limit of roof expansion, an expansion bar adjacent the rear end of said casing and engageable by the foremost transverse member of said roof to limit the rearward movement thereof, means for adjustably moving the expansion bar forwardly or rearwardly for taking up slack or reducing the tension of said roof. keepers pivoted on one side of the innermost parallel member, and means for moving said keepers into and out of engagement with said expansion bar to prevent movement of said innermost parallel member rearwardly of said expansion bar.

2. In a vehicle having sides, a casing forwardly of the tops of said sides, tracks on the top edges of said sides extending into said casing, a folding roof slidable bodily on said tracks to positions in which it is fully housed within or fully withdrawn from said casing, said roof comprising transverse parallel members slidable relatively toward and from each other, a flexible cover secured to said transverse members determining their maximum range of relative separation, latching means adjacent the rear ends of said sides automatically operable to retain the rear transverse member at the limit of roof expansion, an expansion bar adjacent the rear end of said casing and engageable by the foremost transverse member of said roof to limit the rearward movement thereof, means for adjustably moving the expansion bar forwardly or rearwardly for taking up slack or reducing the tension of said roof, and releasable means for locking the innermost parallel member against movement rearwardly of the expansion bar.

ARTHUR GROVER SCHLICI-D'JR, 

